Star Warden: Slayer of Evil. Chapter 5

 

Garden of Evil

5

Deep in the Mystic Woods there is the Silver Spire; Aetherium's tallest mountain whose peak reached over the treetops of the forest. If one climbs the seven thousand steps and overcome the strong winds, they would reach the snowy mountaintop where they would find a marble courtyard and fountain surrounded by plants untouched by the frost. Two large wooden doors with floral patterns sat underneath a marble archway carved into the mountain.

Passing through the doorway and down a torch-lit stone hallway lay a large underground grove filled with white flowers that surrounded a large reflecting pool. In the center of the pool was a wooden gazebo grown from the roots beneath the lake. It lacked the smoothness of cut wood and held the appearance that it was part of the tree itself, aided by the branches that grew from the roof. A cobbled stone bridge connected it with the grove. Inside of the gazebo sitting next to a gracefully carved stone basin was a woman of statuesque height and lithe appearance.

She was dressed in a resplendent white and green sleeveless raiment. Crowned with a laurel wreath that extended into wooden antlers. Crimson hair cascaded down her back while green and gold butterfly wings sprouted from her shoulder blades. Her pupilless eyes glowed like emeralds. The slits in her dress exposed her bare legs while golden rings wrapped around each ankle above bare feet. She is the Enchantress, the Lady of the Mystic Woods.

Sam was on bended knee before her in this grove, sword implanted into the ground. As the Champion of Aetherium she was his only superior, it was she that restored him to full health after his burning and knighted him when he retrieved Dawnbringer. He suspected she was a Celestial Emissary as well brought in to protect the Mystic Woods, but he never found the time to ask. Nor did he think she was inclined to answer the question if broached to her.

“Rise, Champion,” She spoke her voice echoing with an ancient power as he did as bidden. “Forgive us for summoning you so abruptly.”

“Duty rarely cares for convenience when calling,” Sam said.

“Indeed,” replied the Enchantress. “We have a task for you in the land of Monmouth. During our meditations, we felt a darkness envelope the land. We can no longer see what the Dark Lord and his minions plan there or aid those attempting to resist him.”

“You want me to find out what's going on and remove the curse if possible?” 

The Enchantress nodded. “There is more, the sprite Bridget is also in the land and she may be able to aid you on your quest.” She gave him a wooden broach with an emerald embedded inside. “This will allow you to find her location. It will glow brighter when you are closer and she will be able to track it as well due to it being familiar energy.”

“Was she on mission?”

“Yes, she was eager for a mission into enemy territory and so we requested King Ronan to assign her a delivery to the Order of Lancelot. She arrived at Joyous Guard before the darkness appeared.”

“Consider the curse removed, ma'am,” He said with his usual confidence as he took the broach. He, with permission, created a makeshift necklace with a branch. He didn't ask about the object of delivery if the Enchantress did not volunteer the information then it was above his pay grade. His focus was on defeating the curse and rescuing a friend in danger.

“Your enthusiasm is always appreciated Cerena keep you,” She said invoking the name of the Celestial Power of Elements, Beasts, and Fertility. The Enchantress shifted her body into water, eventually folding into an orb that dropped into the lake. Sam watched with childlike glee as such fantastical sights are things he would not take for granted.

“Awesome,” he said.

Chapter 4

Chapter 6